First rod build

Been done for a year and I just used it yesterday for the first time. Also pictured is the first fly I tied. Neither have caught a fish until this pic. That's a Rock Bass which was VERY lethargic. I don't think it had much of a will to live until I dropped it back in the water.
Attachment 4722Attachment 4724
Got the rod in a kit from H&H and for a 6'6" 2wt, it casts further and better than I expected. I believe it is the Rainshadow IM6 kit. I got it for a bit less than what it's listed at now. If I can build a rod that casts as well as this one, anyone can.

Great looking job! Looks like the fish agree!!

That rockie looks heathy...it must have been over whelmed by your first fly and a very nice 1st build. :)

wish i could write like that. nice nice rod man!

... christened together first time out !! Doesn't get much better than that.

Well done, Joe.

John

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Originally Posted by Wes

wish i could write like that. nice nice rod man!

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I wish I could, too! Great looking stick!

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna try to build a couple more cheapies this year if I'm able to get the stuff I need for them and then hopefully get something better. I took it out again yesterday morning after work (I work at night now) and tried it with some 5x tippet and it casts much better than with what I was using before. The fly in the fishes mouth is a size 8 Olive Woolly Bugger. I'm honestly surprised that the rod and line could get it out as far as it did. I'm pretty happy with it.

I agree Nice job Joe,
May I ask how much $$$ is tied up in the Rod alone?

jeffro-
I got two of those kits from H&H for about what a new kit of the same type is now, which is about $100 I think. The guy came on here one day and gave a discount to FAOL members and I jumped on it. When I got mine tho, they didn't have the same materials either so that probably has something to do with it. He probably needed to get rid of the old kits and make room for new ones too. Who knows?

I bet thats a great feeling catchin fish on a Rod ya build yourself....enjoy

It is a good feeling. Especially on a 2wt that makes the smallest fish feel like it's larger than what it really is lol.